Find Your Place in San Diego County Parks

Thank you for your interest in volunteering or performing required service with the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation. People help care for parks, preserves, trails, campgrounds, community spaces, historic sites, and specialist events throughout San Diego County.

Whether you want to spend time outdoors, support community programs, protect natural and cultural resources, meet new people, build skills, or give back close to home, there may be a role that fits your interest, schedule, and location. When you find an opportunity that interests you, select it to learn more and begin the application process.

Spend Saturday, October 3 at Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve for volunteer projects, a ranger-led hike, outdoor wellness, lunch, and the Nature & Wellness Fair.

Choose from hands-on service projects, family activities, event support shifts, and more.

Explore Community Climate Action Day + Hike-A-Thon Opportunities

Celebrate 80 Years with 80 Hours!

In honor of San Diego County Parks' 80th anniversary, take the 80-Hour Volunteer Challenge and give 80 eligible hours of service during August 2026 through August 2027.

There is no special challenge assignment. Participate in a one-day event, volunteer regularly, serve at one park or several, or combine different opportunities throughout the year. Eligible hours completed with San Diego County Parks during the challenge period can count toward your 80 hours.

Participants who complete the challenge will receive a commemorative 80th Anniversary Challenge Coin and Certificate of Completion.

How to participate

• Search the opportunities on this page and select any opportunity that interests you.
• When signing up, create or sign in to your MyImpactPage account and complete the 80-Hour Volunteer Challenge enrollment as part of your application.
• Already have a Volunteer Impact account? Sign in to MyImpactPage.com, go to My Profile → Additional Info, and complete the 80-Hour Volunteer Challenge section of your profile.
• Start volunteering now! Eligible hours completed during August 2026 through August 2027 can count toward your challenge total.
• A brief 80-Hour Volunteer Challenge Orientation is coming soon. You do not need to wait for the orientation before volunteering, but you will need to complete it before completing the challenge.
• Make sure your service hours are recorded in your account. Complete 80 eligible hours during the challenge period to earn your challenge coin and certificate.

Already completing required service? You can participate too. For court-ordered service, CalFresh or other required public-assistance service, and Campground or Park Hosts, only service completed above and beyond your required commitment counts toward the 80-Hour Volunteer Challenge.

Looking for something specific?

Court-Ordered Service

Need to complete court-ordered community service or community labor? Start here. Review the rules before you begin. Start Court-Ordered Service

Campground and Park Hosts

Want to live and volunteer at a County park? Learn about the host program and see current openings. Explore Campground and park Host Opportunities

Group Volunteer Projects

Planning a project for a school, company, club, nonprofit, faith group, or other group? Request a Group Volunteer Project.